Steering system and AGV forklift

Abstract

The steering system comprises a manual steering mechanism and an electric steering mechanism, the manual steering mechanism comprises a steering wheel, the lower side of the steering wheel is connected with a direction steering column, the lower end of the direction steering column is connected with a universal shaft, the lower end of the universal shaft is connected with a steering shaft, and the lower end of the steering shaft is connected with a steering gear; the electric steering mechanism comprises a steering controller, a steering motor and a reduction gearbox, the steering controller is connected with the steering motor, the steering motor is connected with the reduction gearbox, and the output end of the reduction gearbox is connected with a steering gear; the steering gear drives the steering axle to act. According to the scheme, manual steering and automatic steering are achieved based on mechanical transmission, and the stability and smoothness of the steering structure are good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of AGV forklift technology, and in particular to steering systems and AGV forklifts. Background Technology

[0002] AGV forklifts are unmanned transport vehicles equipped with electromagnetic, optical, and laser-based automatic guidance devices. Currently, some AGV forklifts are equipped with EPS systems, enabling both manual and electric steering control. The EPS system for electric forklifts includes a steering wheel, steering sensors, a controller, and a steering motor. In manual steering control, the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering sensor detects the angle of rotation, and the controller determines the direction and magnitude of the steering motor's assistance based on the signals from the steering sensor and the speed sensor. However, electrical signals have relatively low security. Adding steering and speed sensors for signal feedback requires real-time measurement, and in harsh working environments where electronic components may fail, the forklift faces safety risks. Therefore, how to ensure fast, accurate, and predictable steering shaft rotation response has become a pressing technical problem for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a steering system and an AGV forklift having the steering system.

[0004] The steering system of an AGV forklift includes manual steering and electric steering mechanisms.

[0005] The manual steering mechanism includes a steering wheel, a steering column connected to the lower side of the steering wheel, a universal joint connected to the lower end of the steering column, a steering shaft connected to the lower end of the universal joint, and a steering gear connected to the lower end of the steering shaft.

[0006] The electric steering mechanism includes a steering controller, a steering motor, and a gearbox. The steering controller is connected to the steering motor, the steering motor is connected to the gearbox, and the output end of the gearbox is connected to the steering gear.

[0007] The steering gear drives the steering axle to move.

[0008] Preferably, the system includes a main controller and an electronic potentiometer, the electronic potentiometer being mounted on the steering axle to monitor steering axle rotation information; the electronic potentiometer is communicatively connected to the main controller, and the main controller is communicatively connected to the steering controller.

[0009] Preferably, the output end of the gearbox is connected to the steering shaft via a driven gear set.

[0010] Preferably, the AGV forklift has a steering gear mounting plate on its frame, and the gearbox and steering gear are mounted on the steering gear mounting plate.

[0011] Preferably, the main shaft and the auxiliary shaft on the gearbox housing are each equipped with a Glyd ring for sealing.

[0012] Preferably, the steering wheel is mounted on the instrument panel of the AGV forklift, and the steering column extends vertically through the instrument panel.

[0013] An AGV forklift is also provided, including a steering system as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0014] This application, by adopting the above-mentioned scheme, can simultaneously realize two steering modes: manual steering wheel control and automatic steering control. Furthermore, in manual steering control, the steering wheel's movement can be directly transmitted to the steering gear via mechanical transmission. In automatic steering control, by constructing a mechanical transmission system, the electronic steering signal input from the controller is output to the steering system through a more stable mechanical structure. The stability of the mechanical transmission, combined with the electronic detection system, ensures smoothness and stability during steering, resulting in lower steering force and easier handling, making it better suited for use in the steering process of autonomous vehicles. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the steering control structure of this application;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the steering control process of this application.

[0017] Figure label:

[0018] 1-Steering wheel; 2-Instrument panel; 3-Steering column; 4-Universal shaft; 5-Steering column; 6-Reduction gearbox; 7-Steering motor; 8-Steering gear mounting plate; 9-Steering gear; 10-Steering controller; 11-Glyd ring; 12-Drive shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below.

[0020] Example 1:

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a steering system for an AGV forklift, including a manual steering mechanism and an electric steering mechanism. The manual steering mechanism includes a steering wheel 1, a steering column 3 connected to the lower side of the steering wheel 1, a universal joint 4 connected to the lower end of the steering column 3, a steering shaft connected to the lower end of the universal joint 4, and a steering gear 9 connected to the lower end of the steering shaft. The electric steering mechanism includes a steering controller 10, a steering motor 7, and a reduction gearbox 6. The steering controller 10 is connected to the steering motor 7, the steering motor 7 is connected to the reduction gearbox 6, and the output end of the reduction gearbox 6 is connected to the steering gear 9. The steering gear 9 drives the steering axle to move.

[0022] The steering system of the aforementioned AGV forklift can directly drive the steering gear 9 through the mechanical transmission mechanism via the manual steering mechanism and the electric steering mechanism, thereby enabling both manual and automatic steering control.

[0023] In the manual steering mechanism, the steering wheel 1 rotates in conjunction with the steering column 3 and the universal joint 4. The universal joint 4 then rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft. The steering shaft transmits rotation speed information and the direction of rotation to the steering gear 9. The steering gear 9 drives the steering axle, causing the steering tires to rotate left or right. In this embodiment, the steering gear 9 is a hydraulic steering gear 9. The steering shaft's movement can directly transmit the rotation speed and direction of rotation to the hydraulic cylinders of the steering axle, enabling the steering cylinders to drive the steering tires to steer.

[0024] In the electric steering mechanism, the steering controller 10 directly transmits the steering signal to the steering motor 7, and the output of the gearbox 6 transmits the power to the steering gear 9. The steering gear 9 outputs the steering cylinder to actuate, thereby driving the steering axle to steer.

[0025] Therefore, both manual and electric steering mechanisms employ mechanical transmission, resulting in strong structural stability and fast action response.

[0026] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 1 is mounted on the instrument panel 2 of the AGV forklift, and the steering column 3 extends vertically through the instrument panel 2. The steering wheel 1, mounted on the instrument panel 2, centrally controls the forklift's operating mechanisms, resulting in a compact structure that is easy for the user to operate.

[0027] In this embodiment, the output end of the reduction gearbox 6 is connected to the steering shaft via a driven gear set, and the reduction gearbox 6 is also connected to the rotating shaft via a gear set. This reduces the restrictions on the installation position of the rotating shaft and the reduction gearbox 6, allowing for a more rational arrangement of the entire steering mechanism. In a specific embodiment, the reduction gearbox includes transmission gears, shafts, and bearings, with each shaft equipped with a leak-proof Glyd ring 11. The steering shaft meshes with an intermediate gear mechanism via a driven gear mechanism, and the intermediate gear mechanism meshes with the driving gear of the drive shaft 12. The drive shaft 12 is connected to the steering motor 7, and the steering motor 7 is connected to the steering controller via a wiring harness for controlling the steering motor 7.

[0028] In this embodiment, the AGV forklift frame is equipped with a steering gear 9 mounting plate 8, and the gearbox 6 and steering gear 9 are mounted on the steering gear 9 mounting plate 8. With this configuration, the steering mechanism can be assembled separately and then assembled onto the AGV forklift as a whole, which helps to improve the overall assembly efficiency of the forklift.

[0029] The following combination Figure 2 The manual steering process and the automatic steering process controlled by the human will be further explained in this embodiment.

[0030] Manual steering is achieved by manually rotating the steering wheel 1, which drives the steering column, universal joint 4, and steering shaft to drive the steering gear 9. The steering gear 9 transmits the rotation speed and direction to the hydraulic cylinder of the steering axle, thereby enabling the steering cylinder to drive the steering tires to steer.

[0031] During automatic steering control, the steering controller 10 directly controls the steering signal to the steering motor 7. The steering motor 7 outputs a speed that drives the steering column 5 through the reduction gearbox 6. The steering column 5 is connected to the oil tank valve opening and closing reversing circuit and controls the hydraulic oil flow rate. The proportional valve controls the steering cylinder to drive the steering tire to achieve steering.

[0032] An electronic potentiometer is installed on the steering wheel rotation shaft of the steering axle. The electronic potentiometer detects the real-time steering angle of the steering wheel and transmits the steering angle information to the main controller. The main controller identifies the actual angle of the steering tire based on the information and data transmitted by the electronic potentiometer and sends a hold signal or a change steering signal to the steering controller 10. The steering controller 10 then controls and adjusts the output steering angle.

[0033] Example 2:

[0034] This embodiment provides an AGV forklift, including the steering system of Embodiment 1.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. The steering system of an AGV forklift, characterized in that, Including manual steering mechanisms and electric steering mechanisms, The manual steering mechanism includes a steering wheel, a steering column connected to the lower side of the steering wheel, a universal joint connected to the lower end of the steering column, a steering shaft connected to the lower end of the universal joint, and a steering gear connected to the lower end of the steering shaft. The electric steering mechanism includes a steering controller, a steering motor, and a gearbox. The steering controller is connected to the steering motor, the steering motor is connected to the gearbox, and the output end of the gearbox is connected to the steering gear. The steering gear drives the steering axle to move.

2. The steering system of the AGV forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a main controller and an electronic potentiometer, which is installed on the steering axle to monitor the rotation information of the steering axle; the electronic potentiometer is communicatively connected to the main controller, and the main controller is communicatively connected to the steering controller.

3. The steering system of the AGV forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the gearbox is connected to the steering shaft via a driven gear set.

4. The steering system of the AGV forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AGV forklift has a steering gear mounting plate on its frame, and the gearbox and steering gear are mounted on the steering gear mounting plate.

5. The steering system of the AGV forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main shaft and the auxiliary shaft on the gearbox housing are respectively equipped with Glyd rings for sealing.

6. The steering system of the AGV forklift according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steering wheel is mounted on the instrument panel of the AGV forklift, and the steering column runs vertically through the instrument panel.

7. An AGV forklift, characterized in that, The steering system of the AGV forklift as described in any one of claims 1-6.

Images